At least 14 people have died after a boat carrying wedding guests capsized in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The accident occurred on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Gumbi village in Gumbi Ward, shortly after passengers had escorted a bride to her husband’s home in Gwarzo village, Ngaski Local Government Area.
The victims, identified as 13 women and one child, were among more than 100 passengers on board when the vessel overturned as the celebrants made their return journey. All 14 were later recovered and buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Water transport remains a common mode of movement across riverine communities in Kebbi State, particularly in rural areas where road access is limited. However, overcrowding and safety lapses have frequently contributed to fatal accidents in northern Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Friday’s tragedy underscores persistent safety concerns in local water transport systems, especially during social gatherings that draw large crowds and increase pressure on small vessels.
The incident unfolded shortly after the wedding ceremony concluded in Gwarzo village. Guests from Gumbi village had accompanied the bride to her new home and were returning when the boat reportedly capsized near Gumbi.
Witness accounts indicate that the vessel was carrying more than 100 passengers at the time of the accident, though the precise cause of the capsizing has not yet been officially disclosed. Local responders and community members were said to have launched immediate rescue efforts, but 14 passengers could not be saved.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris attended the funeral prayer for the deceased on Saturday, signaling the state government’s recognition of the scale of the tragedy. He was represented at the ceremony by the Chairman of Yauri Local Government, Abubakar Shu’aibu.
During the condolence visit, the governor urged the bereaved families and the wider Yauri community to accept the incident as an act of divine will and offered prayers for the departed.
The decisive moment came when the overloaded vessel overturned, throwing passengers into the water. With more than 100 people on board, panic quickly spread as individuals struggled to stay afloat.
Rescue attempts began almost immediately, but the swift current and the number of passengers complicated efforts. By the time the situation was brought under control, 14 lives had been lost.
Local authorities have yet to announce a formal investigation or confirm whether safety regulations were breached. Community leaders and residents have renewed calls for stricter oversight of boat operations and passenger limits, particularly during peak travel periods linked to weddings and festivals.
Similar incidents in recent years have prompted periodic enforcement drives, though compliance remains inconsistent in many rural waterways.
By Saturday evening, funeral prayers had been conducted and all victims laid to rest. State officials continued condolence visits across affected families and traditional institutions within the Yauri emirate.
The tragedy has reignited debate over transport safety in riverine communities across Kebbi State and beyond.
The loss of 14 lives during what was meant to be a celebration has left Yauri in mourning and renewed scrutiny on water transport safety standards. As communities rely heavily on boats for mobility, the pressure is likely to mount on authorities to implement stronger safeguards to prevent further avoidable deaths.
